The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-20
THE BAPTIST CONGRESS.

A convention of ministers and lay brethren,
of whatever church, usually excites very little
interest in circles outside of the denomina-
tion represented, but if all were of like char
acter with the Baptist congress, held in this
city last week, this indifference would soon
cease to exist and the public would flock to
such gatherings sure of being profted, in
structed and entertained. It was sectarian
asse mblage only in The delegates
were Baptists, but they were there not to
talk much of their distinctive creed, but
rather of matters in which all the world is
concerned; not to split theological hairs, but to
discuss live topics from religious stand point.
The outside world is not altogether to blame.
perhaps, for having cherished a be-
lief that this denomination has pre-
ferred to stand aloof, and that
: certain inaexibility of doctrinal character,
80 to speak, has hindered it from keeping
pace with the progress of the age. AT all
events, such impression has existed, but to
those holding it the catholicity of sentiment,
the breadth and liberality of thought and
opinion manifested at this congress. must be
In the nature Of revela ton, and proof suf-
fcient that what may once have been the
case is true no longer. This unlooked-for
Eberality apparent throughout all the
discussions, but particularly SO when the sub
iect of church unity was under consideration.
Heretofore, the position has been that no
union can exist except as other churches
come over to the Baptists, but, while this mar
row view still finds champions and the Sec
tartan spirit flames up fercely now and then,
aleaning of the Baptists towards other denom-
inatlcns IS quite perceptible. No-compromise
of creed or conviction is suggested, nor should
there be, but the fact is realized and acknow1-
edged that truth exists elsewhere, and that
all sects may meet in equality upon plane
Of Christianity common to all. AS
speaker expressed it. they 'do not look
pray for time when all men shall be Baptists,
but when all men shall be Christians
In regard to amusements the same wise and
generous spirit was shown. It is unquestion-
ably true that the attitude of the Protestant
denominations towards amusements has done
out of the church, and possibly more than all
other causes combined The mind of youth
is not opposed to spiritual truth; on the con-
trary, the natural religious feeling is often
strong, and only needs judicious cultivation
to bring it to a healthy and harmonious de-
velopment But the inherent taste of the
young for pleasure and social enjoyments is
even stronger, and when the sets itself
in Understanding opposition to the other,
the result is unfortunate, but inevitable-the
young are repealed from the place which,
above all others, should attract them, and
choose instead to be free of personal dictation
But brighter prospect is dawning for the
church and the youth. When the ministers
of sect, whose membership is already greater
than that of any other in the United States
save the Roman Catholic, boldly lay down the
doctrine that the church has nothing to do
with amusements per Sc, that its business is
to denounce sin, and that sin and amusements
are distinct, the probability is strong that that
church's membership will multiply and the
lesson possibly extend to other denominations.
To have reached the conclusion that the mis-
sion Of the church is to teach but not to be
the conscience of its members. to guide,
not to dictate, and that the individual con-
science must be left free, is great step in
advance of the time-worn doctrine, and it is
the step that the Baptists have taken.